Thoughts about our Characters

Hello Room 2308 Readers!
Today in class we had our third lesson in literary essays. We talked about characters and how thinking deeply about them can help us to generate thoughts about what we read. We read the following from a book review written in 1952 on Charlotte's Web.

Wilbur is of sweet nature-he is a spring pig-affectionate, responsive to the moods of weather and the song of the crickets, has a long eyelashes, is hopeful, partially willing to try anything, brave, subject to faints from bashfulness, is loyal to friends, enjoys a good appetite and a soft bed, and is a little likely to be overwhelmed by the sudden chance for complete freedom.
Eudora Welty ( New York Times, October 19, 1952)

We brainstormed ways to think about our characters and used the following list to begin to create min-glimpses of Rachel, the main character in "Eleven" by Sandra Cisneros.

Thinking about Characters
what kind of person is this character?
What does this character long for? Fear?
What is the character struggling against? What gets in the character’s way?
What relationships does the character have and how do these relationships play a significant role in the story?
How does the character change over the course of the story?
Does the character learn lessons or come to realizations?

Tonight, think about the main character in your independent book. Write a paragraph, similar in style to the one above, using the "Thinking about Characters" list to help you. Try to use the author's choice of words to help you gain insight into your character.
Happy Reading!
Mrs. S

Reading Deeper

Hi Class!

Today I saw some great work on our new literary essay unit. You worked hard at trying to generate original thoughts about what you are reading. Tonight, you are asked to continue that work in your head, focusing on what you are reading, noticing the little details that may go unnoticed, and generating your thoughts about these details.
We talked about how wondering about character's motivations, actions, thoughts and feelings can help us to understand our characters. It can also help us to think deeper about our characters.
Share with me your thoughts so far with this process. How is this going with your own independent reading? Remember to explain yourself fully, with at least 5 sentences, check your grammar and spelling before sending off your post......Happy Reading!
Mrs. S

More Schoolhouse Rocks!

Ok, back by popular demand.....
Tell me what you think.....practice by writing super sentences with interjections about today's field trip!

Grammar Rocks!

Ok kiddos, here is another Schoolhouse Rocks video. Check it out.......







Write a sentence using at least two adverbs, used correctly. Underline the adverbs. Tell me your reaction to the video. What do you think about the schoolhouse rocks videos? Compare adverbs and adjectives. If you forgot what adjectives are.....here is the video we watched today....

Literature CIrcles, First Thoughts

Hello Wonderful Room 2308'ers!
So, today we finalized our book groups for our literature circles we will be starting in a few weeks. the books we will be reading are the following:

Trouble By Gary Schmidt
A Million Shades of Grey by Cynthia Kadohata
All the Broken Pieces by Ann Burg
Firegirl by Toni Abbott
Alabama Moon by Watt Key
The Thing About Georgie by Lisa Graff
March Toward Thunder by Joseph Bruchac

Share your thoughts about why you choose the books you requested. Share your thoughts about the group you are in. Do you have any background knowledge about the book you will be reading? Do you have any knowledge about any of the other books? What are you looking forward to with our literature circles? Is there anything you are worried or concerned about? I am looking forward to this new experience tin our reading class. You have become so good at sharing your thoughts, I can't wait to see you take it up a level!

More Poems........

My mom is from moody maine,
My mom thinks barbies,dolls,silly puddy,and hula hoop’s were the best,
My mom used to play Yahtzee,pickup sticks,kickball,Monopoly,cards,and Scrabble,

My mom used to do ballet,tap,baton,acting,and her hobby was beach,
My mom used to like these groups:Partridge Family, the Osmonds,and the Beatles,
My mom also used to like these singers:Carly Simond, and carol king,

My mom used to like these Celebritys:David cassidy,and donny Osmonds,
My mom used to buy mint juleps,Good and Fruities,Squirls,and pixie sticks,
My mom’s favorite t.v. show was Bewitched,

My mom’s favorite series of books was Pippi long stocking,
My mom’s favorite saying was cool,
My mom wanted to be a architect when she grew up.
By Andrew L.


Where I’m From

I’m from Winny the Poo and classic rock ,from solving the mystery with Sherlock Holmes to swimming and fishing the water so cool,


From “your mother wears combat boots” and Mr Kennedy who sadly died,to the sweet almond joys with the nut inside and the cool Kinks “so rocken”,


To peanut butter fudge so warm and good,and the up and down of the yo yo’s ,and bee bee guns that stung so bad to the many more adventures that await us.



by Alex L

Where I’m From

I am a snowflake
I am a leaf
I am the grass
I am the hungry lion

I am a peace of sand
from sea
I am an ant

I am a little rattle from my past
I am a apple my favorite
snack

I am my dads old hat
I am my moms dress
I am my grandmas old
smell

I am my old past
I am my dads 1 car
I am my moms blanket
to keep her warm
I am my dads home
to help him live

I am me and only me.


by:arelis

Where I’m From

I am from M&Ms and chocolate,
the ringing of the bell in the candy store.
I am from IHOP,
the woman who always says:
“How you doing honey?”
I am from the fake needle,
being my father’s saviour.
I am from Lord of the Rings
and The Hobbit, the crease of the pages
and the crusty old smell.
I am from the noises city,
the unbearable heat in the summer.
I am from pine trees,
barefoot in the soft green grass.
I am from “Duh” and “Nah kidding”.
I am from Nanny and the Professer,
and movie night on the couch.
I am from playing house
and me always being daddy.
I am from Twilight
and Taylor Launtner (The hunk Jacob).
I am from all the Beatles,
especially their greatest hits like “Let It Be”.

I am from scrapbooking,
putting in happy and sad memories,
but most of all, the most unforgettable ones.

Sarah

Tell me about your current book.......

Ok Room 2308 Readers, this week I have not been able to conference too much with you about what you are reading, although we have done daily check-ins.You all are really blowing me away with your reading.
I want to know more about your current books. Tell me.......

What genre are you currently reading?

Can you tell me the main plot in a sentence or two?

Can you do a quick character profile for me on a main character and a secondary character?

How does the setting play into your book?

What would you rate your book at this point on a scale of one to ten?

I can't wait to hear more...........

Mrs. S

More "Where I am From" Poems

Where I’m From

I’m from never liking the Yankees while being born in New Jersey
I’m from 5 hours away to my old home
I’m from soccer and hockey
I’m from swimming to swimming
I’m from freedom
I’m from Biscuit to Wednesday Wars
I’m from a guinea pig to a dog
I’m from a swimmer and a nurse
I’m from servers of our countries and secretaries
I’m from baby clothes
I’m from the outside world
I’m from Frosha and whipping cream
I’m from lots of sisters and one brother
I’m from Falmouth people
I’m from the woods and I’m from the town
I’m from Goldenrod taffy
I’m from lots of dogs
I’m from Jamie and Keri
I’m from the Patriots and the Red Sox and the Bruins
I’m from Rubix Cubes and HO trains
I’m from softball and street hockey
I’m from bike riding
I’m from Journey and Van Halen
I’m from Tom Howell and Ronald Regan
I’m from Twix bars and Big League Chew
I’m from Love Boat and Dukes of Hazzard
I’m from Wrinkle in Time and Narnia
I’m from the sayings “cool” and “nuh-unh”
I’m from the dreams of being a gym teacher and an accountant
I’m from a world that, is and always will be, my home.

Julia


I’m from DS and Ipod, public pools and
riding bike.
I’m from camping in Acadia every summer every
year.
I’m from Daughtry and owl city,cars and
breakfast in america.

I’m from buzz lightyear,thomas the train and
hula hoops.
I’m from clue and battleship.
I’m from skittles and resses cups, razzles,
twizzler and almond joy.

I’m from Bone, Nancy Drew and the lion the Witch and
the Wardrobe.
I’m from “hip”,”groovy” and “cool”.
I’m from the Brady Bunch,partridge family and
Phineas and Ferb.

I’m from all the memories.

-Ben



I’m from little, plays With dolls cries a Lot to,

I’m from wipes my face when a cold dry tear is falling,

I’m from older, sits down in the living room laughing, wetting my pants
watching my favorite T.V show, WIPE OUT,

I’m from Halloween are favorite holiday scary to as we are running away from the scary people chasing as as we run away from them,

I’m from favorite food that we all love is Italian Rice,


by Candace


Where I’m From
By Anna

I’m from my vegetable garden in the front yard,

I’m from snowshoeing in my woods and playing with my dog.

I’m from dancing and Sports Illustrated.

From baseball and tootsie rolls.

From Nightly News and Gilligan’s Island.
I am from.........


Where I’m From

I am from Jodie and Michael
From going “beep beep” with my barbie jeep
From “choo chooing” with my train tracks
To going “cling clang” with my pots and pans.

I am from riding up and down the streets on my bike
From playing stressful games of Trouble with my dad
To drawing pink hearts on the driveway with chalk.

I am from sweaty shingaurds and warn cleats
To playing hopscotch barefoot on the driveway
From long plane rides listening to Raffis good music.

I am from the Celtics especially Rajon Rondo
To shooting hoops with my mom
From smelly basketball shoes and sweaty socks.

I am from the old camp on the blue lake
From siting around the campfire cooking smores
And telling ghost stories
To getting scared at night.

I am from the soft disney blanket
Full of smells and memories
From Clifford the big red dog
And “Allie dont eat that” to “put that down”
From “calm down now” to sleeping in the car.

I am from mornings with Dora and Boots
And evenings with Wizards

I am What I am
And that makes me, me

By,
Allie

The Book's Gonna Be a Good, Good Book..........

Here is the link to the fantastic video we watched today......


http://www.schooltube.com/video/e9bd79d29b4d0e6a2345/Gotta-Keep-Reading--Ocoee-Middle-School

"Where I'm From" Poems

Ok, I have finally gotten around to posting your final poetry projects, the "Where I'm From" poems. I am going to put 5 or so on each post. Please go on, read the poems and let your classmates know what you liked and found interesting about their poems.

Where I’m From

I’m from ice rinks and sail boats
I’m from violin lessons and girl scouts
I’m from apple pie and cheese cake
I’m from weekends and Mondays
I’m from tee-shirts and snow pants
I’m from scrapbooks and journals
I’m from videos and DVD’s
I’m from I’m from maps and GPS’s
I’m from cats and I’m from dogs
I’m from personal narrative and poems
I’m from Mrs. Beasly and Kiddles
I’m from Madonna and U2
I’m from Skittles and Sour Patch Kids
but most of all I’m from memories.
Katherine

Where I’m from



I’m from The World of Cats
and Erin Hunter.
From Booksville
and the band Colplay.
I’m from Disneyworld, Facebook,
and Cartoon Network.
From Animal Planet
and the movie Avatar.
I’m from the Monopoly Universe,
my Ipod, and chocolate.
From Vegetariansville, swimming,
and my DS.
I’m from Snowman City, Sledding,
and the big rock behind my house.
I’m from all the places I’ve ever been
and all the things I’ve ever done.

By: Emma



I’m from Aero chocolate, from crystal rocks in my plastic container. I’m from “this thing won’t react!” & “Sheesh!”. I’m from a country with kings & queens and roast lamb with gravy.

I’m from foxes in the garden and frog catching & the black cat on my wall.I’m from the Cub Scouts and my loser mobile. My apple and pear tree. I’m from ACDC and Guns and Roses. I’m from rock and pop, the Wii and “I’ll betcha five dollars I’m right!” I’m from a fun dad and mum plus a annoying brother. I’m from “I wish I had that” and “ MAX! MAX! MAAAAAAAAAAAAX!”That's where I’m from.

By Alexander C


I am from the from my unfinished homework.
I am from the sadness from my heart.
I am from the happiness of my soul.

I am from the candy in my wrapper.
I am the lead singer for Lady Gaga

I am from the curiosity in a baby’s head.

I am from the shock when someone’s feelings get hurt.
I am the guy that works with James Bond.
I am the earth.


by Noah



Where I’m From

I am from homemade Italian food.
The great smells would fill the kitchen.

I am from Suzanne and Enrico.
I am from video games and scrabble.

I am from Blues Clues
and all of those other kids shows.

I am from tasty spaghetti
with homemade meatballs and sauce.

I am from Reese peanut butter cups.
I am from drums and Guitar Hero.

I am from brownies and cookies
I am from Frisbee and Badmitten




By Gianna

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday to you.....Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss....happy birthday to you!

We all love Dr. Seuss....or do we? Do you have a favorite Dr. Seuss book? If you do, what is it and why?
One of my favorites is "Yertle the Turtle". I love it because it is a small character, the little guy on the bottom, that shakes things up and teaches the king a lesson. Ok, I also really like turtles :) Then there is "The Lorax"......hmmm, I love that one too! I love the environmental theme, taking care of our earth, and the connections between living things that it shows. Oh, I love "Hooray for Diffendoofer Day" as well........ok, maybe I better let you all blog..........

Share your thoughts and opinions here about Dr. Seuss. I can't wait to hear what you think.......